Odds & Ends: McGrady, Curry, Spurs, Vujacic
The Thunder, Lakers, Spurs, and Celtics are considered the most dangerous threats to the Heat this season, but ESPN.com's Tom Haberstroh thinks he's put together the team most capable of knocking off the defending champs. In an Insider-only piece, Haberstroh puts together a squad of "Heat Beaters" that adheres to the NBA's salary cap rules by surrounding a pair of superstars (Chris Paul and Dwight Howard) with a number of players on rookie-scale deals, including Serge Ibaka, Taj Gibson, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard.
Here are a few other Thursday links from around the league:
- NBA commissioner David Stern and former teammate Shane Battier are among those applauding Tracy McGrady's decision to sign in China, according to Alastair Himmer of 560 WGAN.
- Though there's no real update on extension talks between Stephen Curry and the Warriors, both sides remain optimistic that a deal will be worked out by Halloween, says Sam Amick of SI.com (Sulia link). Amick adds that Curry's next contract is now being negotiated by Octagon's Jeff Austin after the point guard's previous agent, Lance Young, left Octagon.
- The battle for the Spurs' 15th roster spot is going down to the wire, according to Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News, who breaks down the four candidates for the opening. McCarney believes the Spurs' decision will come down to Eddy Curry and Josh Powell.
- In an Insider-only piece, ESPN.com's Chad Ford names his top five 2013 draft prospects out of the Big 12.
- Sasha Vujacic says he'll consider returning to the NBA next summer, according to a Sport24.gr report (translation via HoopsHype).
- Gino Pilato of Ridiculous Upside previews the NBA D-League draft, which is set to take place on November 2nd.
Sasha Vujacic Won’t Return To NBA This Year
The NBA escape clause in Sasha Vujacic's contract overseas has expired, meaning the former Lakers and Nets guard won't be coming back to the NBA this season, reports Rigas Dardalis of Eurohoops.net (hat tip to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando). The deal with Anadolu Efes of Turkey allowed Vujacic to explore NBA opportunities until July 31st.
This spring, the 28-year-old Vujacic expressed interest in a return to the NBA after having spent 2011/12 overseas, but found no takers. He'll have at least one familiar face around this season in Turkey, since he'll again be teaming with Jordan Farmar. The pair were also teammates in New Jersey and L.A.
Vujacic averaged career highs of 9.8 points, 2.0 assists and 24.6 minutes per game in 2010/11, his last NBA season.
Odds & Ends: Vujacic, Lee, Love, Wall
In a tweet, ESPN.com's Marc Stein says that the Raptors have no interest in former Net and Laker, Sasha Vujacic. Here are the rest of the evening's updates:
- The Warriors shut forward David Lee down with what they called a groin injury earlier this month. At the time, the team was well out of the playoff picture, and the Warriors' main goal down the stretch was to lose as many games as possible in order to try and get their first round draft pick back from the Jazz. Lee's injury was treated as a convenient way to tank games, and the announcement was viewed with a skeptic eye by many. Now it appears Lee will have surger on Thursday to repair a torn abdominal muscle, according to the team.
- MercuryNews.com's Marcus Thompson II breaks down what the Warriors need to do if they want to keep their first round draft pick.
- Stephen Curry underwent successful surgery on his ankles today. He's expected to be ready for action in 3-4 months, NBA.com's David Aldridge reports in a tweet.
- The Plain Dealer's Bill Livingston points out the significance of what a third MVP for LeBron James would mean.
- Even before Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge suffered injuries that will prevent them from participating in this summer's Olympic games, there was a strong chance Kevin Love would make the 12-man roster. The Timberwolves forward feels more confident than ever before that he'll make the team, according to TwinCities.com's Ray Richardson.
- Kobe Bryant fully expects the Lakers to win the title, writes ESPNLosAngeles.com's Dave McMenamin.
- John Wall spoke to his friend Kevin Durant about what it took to turn one of the league's worst teams into one of the best, writes FoxSportsFlorida.com's Chris Tomasson.
- The Timberwolves will receive the Jazz's first round draft pick now that Utah is heading to the playoffs, according to the StarTribune's Kent Youngblood.
Sasha Vujacic Will Seek Return To NBA
After playing in the NBA for the previous seven seasons, Sasha Vujacic signed a deal with Turkish team Anadolu Efes Istanbul during the NBA lockout. Although his contract keeps him overseas for this season, Vujacic intends to return to the NBA next year, he tells Kosarka.si (Slovenian link, via Sportando).
According to Sportando's translation of Vujacic's comments, the longtime Laker said, "I am happy and satisfied with my experience in Turkey, but my wish is to go back to the NBA next season."
Vujacic, 28, has played in 476 NBA games for the Lakers and Nets, averaging 5.6 points in 15.9 minutes per game over the course of his career. The former first-round pick will be an unrestricted free agent for NBA teams when his contract in Turkey expires.